Fredericksburg,
Virginia
Family Lawyers

Anneshia Miller Grant is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including... Read More »

Caitlyn Stubbs is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, with a special focus on contested divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Stubbs works in the firm’s Fredericksburg office, and represents clients in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.

James Livesay is the lead family law attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., advising the custody and divorce lawyers in each of the firm's four offices. After graduating from the prestigious University of Virginia School of Law in 1998, Mr. Livesay served in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps from 1998-2001, where he received the Award for Trial Advocacy from The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Committee on Military Affairs and Justice, in 1998. He went on to receive Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals in 2000 and 2001 (Gold Star in Lieu of Second...

Attorney Ben Carafiol practices exclusively Family Law at Livesay & Myers, P.C. He works out of the firm's office in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and represents clients in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and surrounding areas.
As one of the leading military divorce lawyers in the firm, Mr. Carafiol is intimately familiar with issues of military retirement, the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act, the Survivor Benefit Plan, disability pay, and the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act. He has written extensively on these topics for the Livesay & Myers Blog.
Benjamin Carafiol resides with his wife and daughter in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Since 2001 Joseph T. Brown has provided aggressive, experienced, high quality legal representation to thousands of people charged with felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses or who have family law matters such as divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and protective order.

Born in Nebraska, Ms. Patras grew up in Iowa and earned double B.A. degrees from Iowa State University. She then relocated to Virginia and graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law.

After law school, Ms. Patras clerked for one year for a Virginia Circuit Court judge, gaining valuable insight as to the inner workings of the Virginia judicial system. She then joined Livesay & Myers, P.C. and relocated to the Fredericksburg area.

Ms. Patras works in the firm’s Fredericksburg office, and represents clients across Northern Virginia.

Mr. McLeod grew up in North Texas before his undergraduate studies took him across the globe. Mr. McLeod graduated from Adelaide University (South Australia), receiving a B.A. degree in History. Returning to Texas, he then attended Texas Christian University and went on to comlpete an M.A. in History. Mr. McLeod then undertook his legal education at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law with the help of academic scholarships and grants and went on to graduate cum laude. During law school Mr. McLeod attained the prestigious position of Managing Editor of the University...

The Law Office of Tonya N. Gibbs, PLC (TNG Legal), has been happily serving the Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Culpeper areas since 2012. My law firm was built on a passion for helping people and the desire to provide quality legal representation you can trust, by providing attentive, quality service, and representation with a personal touch. This firm is committed to providing you and your legal issues the personal attention and quality representation you deserve. Let me help you navigate through the complexities of the legal system.

Lawyer with 35 years of experience (23 in divorce and family law - including 20 years in Virginia). Graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law - 1980, and the College of William and Mary - 1977 with a business degree. Practiced limited to the Commonwealth of Virginia in family law, (including divorce, custody, military divorces, CSRS, FERS, TSP, child support and spousal support). Provide one-on-one representation in Stafford, Spotsylvania County, City of Fredericksburg, and Prince William County. Practice solely in Virginia (Inactive member only in California, DC and Maryland).

Justin Criner and his family moved to the northern Virginia area after practicing primarily in Charleston, WV. Justin’s main area of practice is and has been criminal defense: trying cases ranging from traffic offenses all the way to first degree murder. Also during his time in Charleston, Justin regularly practiced in the separate domestic violence court established there and worked numerous cases as either petitioner or respondent to domestic violence protective orders. Within a few weeks of practicing in Charleston, Justin noticed that those being jailed for failing to pay child support were not given an opportunity for legal counsel...

Brenton Bohannon focuses his practice in the areas of Criminal Law, DUI, Traffic Violations, and Family Law. Before joining the firm, Mr. Bohannon served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for New Kent County Virginia, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal and traffic cases in the Circuit, General District, and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. His experience as a prosecutor, along with his psychology and education background, provide a unique perspective on how to best represent clients, whether he is defending a criminal case, litigating a contested divorce or resolving a child support issue. Before becoming an attorney,...

As a native of Northern Virginia, I have here focused my practice on providing sound and balanced representation to clients navigating the difficult legal waters of family law, including contested divorce, custody, support, and equitable distribution. My persuasive style has been well received in courtrooms throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, and is sustained and continually nuanced by a body of experience sufficient to deliver sophisticated results for my clients. In 2015, for example, through negotiation or litigation, my firm handled the equitable distribution of more than half a billion dollars in assets. Business owners,...

Attorney Hanover has been working in the legal arena since graduating with double Master Degrees in Employment Law (HR) and Union Law (Industrial Relations) in 1996. He obtained his JD from the University of the District of Columbia in 2008 and maintains a vibrant practice focusing on immigration, bankruptcy, criminal defense, and business law. In a twist he never saw coming, Mr. Hanover has become accomplished at defending gang members and individuals convicted of drug offenses in immigration court.
In addition to his law practice, Mr. Hanover also owns an IT consulting company, HHC, Inc. based in Fairfax, VA. This company...

Ariel Baniowski is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Ariel works in the firm’s Manassas office, and represents clients in Manassas, Prince William County and all across Northern Virginia.

Ariel is known as one of the more aggressive attorneys at Livesay & Myers, P.C., and has litigated every type of family law matter in Virginia, including custody, support, separation and high asset divorce cases.

Ariel’s work ethic and drive are unmatched. To say that she is a hard worker is an understatement. Ariel worked as a family law paralegal at a law firm in Fairfax...

Steven Goldman is a Partner at the Law Offices of Curran Moher Weis, P.C., one of the premier family law firms in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.

Through zealous advocacy, a well-balanced approach to negotiations, and a strong financial background, Mr. Goldman has had success litigating and settling highly contested divorces, custody matters, support matters, and other areas of family law practice. His success has earned him a positive reputation from his colleagues and peers in the matrimonial bar and, at the age of 30, he was recognized as one of the Ten Leaders of Matrimonial & Divorce Law in Long...

Michael Miller is a partner at Cole Miller PLLC, located in Vienna, Virginia. Providing representation to clients in the northern part of the state, in particular the area adjacent to the District of Columbia, he focuses his practice entirely on family law matters, including divorce and such related issues as property division, child custody and visitation, alimony and child support. Mr. Miller also has experience with the preparation of wills and other estate planning documents.

Mr. Miller is especially well-positioned to represent armed forces personnel who are going through a divorce after serving for seven years as a judge advocate in...

Matthew Smith is a junior partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Mr. Smith works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. An attorney since 2005, Mr. Smith has litigated every type of family law case in the courts of Northern Virginia, including high value equitable distribution cases, custody, support, and military divorce cases. He is the attorney in the firm most experienced in navigating the...

Catherine “Kate” Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients’ best interests. When Ms. Reese identifies matters that can be resolved more amicably and without the costs of litigation, she highly recommends alternate dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative...

Brandi Howell is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C. practicing exclusively family law. Her practice covers every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, visitation and support cases. Ms. Howell works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia.

Ms. Howell is a longtime resident of Northern Virginia. She was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Her father was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, and the family moved around a lot during her early years. Ms. Howell matriculated the Fairfax County...

Carolyn Eaton is a senior family lawyer in the Manassas office of Livesay & Myers, P.C. She represents clients in separation, divorce, custody, visitation and support cases throughout Manassas, Prince William County and Northern Virginia. As a certified Guardian Ad Litem for children, Ms. Eaton’s practice has a special focus on cases involving child custody, visitation and support issues. Ms. Eaton has almost twenty years of legal experience. She graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1994, and began her legal career a year later when she helped establish the family law practice of a boutique law...

Anneshia Miller Grant is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including custody, support, separation and high asset divorce cases. Ms. Grant works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia.

Ms. Grant was born in Georgia and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She began her legal career at a law firm in Virginia Beach, where she practiced family law for four years before moving to Northern Virginia.

Melannie Dino is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. An attorney since 2001, Ms. Dino has litigated every type of family law case in the courts of Northern Virginia, including contested divorce, custody, support, and high value equitable distribution cases. Ms. Dino works in the firm’s offices in Manassas and Leesburg, and represents clients all across Northern Virginia.

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Ms. Dino earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications in 1996 from nearby Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She proceeded to earn her J.D. from Widener University Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in...

After completing his undergrad with honors at the University of Toronto in Canada, Mr. Raheen moved to New York and attained his Juris Doctorate Law Degree (J.D.) and Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) at the New York Law School and Fordham University School of Law, respectively. Following his post-doctorate graduation, Mr. Raheen worked with the prestigious NY law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, where he gained and reflected their successful motto of attention to detail in high quality work product. Mr. Raheen and his family moved closer to family in the DC...

Britney McPheron represents clients primarily in Family Law matters such as divorce, custody, visitation, spousal and child support, protective orders and the drafting of property settlement agreements. As a child of divorce, Britney brings a unique perspective and experience to her cases. She enjoys being able to counsel clients through difficult life transitions and takes great pride in treating her clients with respect. She listens to her clients to work with them toward peaceful, yet fair, resolutions. Britney's clients respect her honesty and communicativeness, both of which are high priorities in all of...

I am a client focused attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I am an advocate, counselor and defender for my clients and I work to achieve the best results for the individuals who entrust their case in my hands. I began my legal career in New Jersey where I served as a Deputy Attorney General for several years; specializing in the area of child protection. After moving to the D.C. metro area I continued my legal career in Washington, D.C. where I worked on large scale...

Sonja Aoun has been a family law attorney since 2001, concentrating her practice in Northern Virginia. Currently, she works at Aoun & Boone, PC, which she established with Julia Boone in order to represent family law clients in all aspects of separation and divorce, including divorce planning/premarital agreements, collaborative divorces, negotiated settlements, and trials in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District courts and Circuit Courts, primarily in Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun County. She obtained her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center after graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Languages (Spanish) from Georgetown University. Starting...

Laila Raheen is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Ms. Raheen is known as a no-nonsense, aggressive advocate for her clients. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Raheen is a graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law (cum laude) and the University of Toronto (with honors). Ms. Raheen began her legal career in 2013 at a general practice law firm in Chantilly, Virginia. Working for several different firms in Northern Virginia over the next...

Brianna Salerno is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Salerno works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Salerno graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University before graduating in the top third of her class at George Mason University School of Law. An attorney since 2010, Ms. Salerno is admitted to practice law in...

Family Lawyers in Nearby Counties

Family law generally concerns domestic relations and family-related matters such as marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, adoptions, paternity, guardianships, domestic abuse, surrogacy, child custody, child abduction, the dissolution of marriage and associated issues. Each state has its own set of family laws, and traveling across state borders can sometimes affect your rights and those of your family.

Contrary to popular belief, seeking the advice of a family law attorney does not necessarily mean that something is amiss in your family. A family law attorney can help negotiate prenuptial/premarital agreements for clients in anticipation of marriage or advise same-sex couples on relevant legal issues affecting their relationship. They also can help with adoption proceedings and other procedures involving children.

Family law attorneys often do represent clients seeking a divorce, annulment or legal separation, and the complicated issues that can arise as a result. Although domestic abuse is a criminal offense, some family law attorneys are skilled at handling these situations, as they are often entangled with other family law issues.

Some jurisdictions certify lawyers as family law specialists, which means these attorneys have met the certifying body's minimum requirements for education, experience, and examination.

No-Fault Proceeding:
A civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault.

Paternity Suit:
A lawsuit to determine the father of a child whose parents were not married when the child was born.